Heat Tracing

One of the most effective methods to prevent freezing of services is to trace the service pipe and fittings with a THERMOCABLE® low watt density electric tracer. THERMOCABLE® fluoropolymer insulated “constant watt” heating cable is designed specifically for the freeze protection of Urecon U.I.P.® pre-insulated pipe systems.

THERMOCABLE® fluoropolymer constant watt cut-to-length heat tracing cable is a parallel resistance type heating strip which uses a thermally stable nichrome heating wire, with a series of heating zones. These heating zones produce constant, predictable wattage per meter output. THERMOCABLE® is ideally suited for pulling into trace conduits on Urecon pre-insulated pipe systems.

The electric heat tracing must maintain the pipe temperature above 0°C (32°F) when exposed to the lowest design ambient temperature while at no flow conditions. The installed power capacity must compensate for heat loss through the pipe insulation and include a safety factor.

Normally, services require a low wattage tracer, are relatively short in length and a 120 volt THERMOCABLE® can be used. Power consumption is reasonable as the tracer is thermostatically controlled and operates intermittently only in the cold season.

An 18 m (60 ft) long house service only consumes 144 watts of power when operating (if a C8-120-COJ cable is installed), which is less than the intermittent operation of two 100 watt light bulbs.

Electrician pulling in low wattage THERMOCABLE® electric tracing cable on a pre-insulated 25 mm (1 in) service pipe and curbstop assembly in northern Ontario.

A typical 50 mm (2 in) service connection to a school at the Bearskin Lake Nation in northern Ontario. Note the blue THERMOCABLE® on the service and red on the main. Most THERMOCABLE® are color coded to identify watt density and operating voltage, small diameter service pipes requiring less wattage than mains. A saddle / corporation stop insulation kit will be fitted to complete the installation.

120 Volt Thermocable® for Freeze Protection of Services

When tracing plastic service pipe, a dual sensing thermostat must be used to prevent possible damage to the pipe caused by an overheated tracer. This is necessary regardless of the type of trace cable used, including “self-regulating” cables.

Mechanical Thermostats for Pre-Insulated Pipe

Electronic Thermostats for Pre-Insulated Pipe

Urecon offers a complete range of 120 / 240 and 575 volt THERMOCABLE® trace cables and controls. Click here for more information on heat tracing.